Miscellaneous

Repeat from last week or until no longer relevant or until I delete it or it bears repeating:

On March 16, 6:00, PM there is a club Fireside at the Palace and all are welcome.

OUR THURSDAY BREAKFAST MEETING IS ACCESSED THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.

Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87015409995?pwd=jmQDQAVbzSnDMp8WDrSXeBDA8xZPma.1

Zoom Meeting Rules

1) Mute your microphone if you aren't already muted. Background noise is distracting.
2) If you are not engaged in the presentation, turn off your camera.
3) Chat function should only be used to address the speaker, not for Club member remarks during the presentation

4) Unmute when harassing the Sergeant at Arms or taking your turn during Sergeant at Arms.

5)We will miss you Christine Brodie! Thanks for everything.

Please direct any questions or concerns to the President or a board member of your choosing and the board will discuss any and all questions or concerns during a board meeting. Also please refer to the members committee anyone who may be interested in attending a meeting or joining the club.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.

by William Arthur Ward via Debbie S.

VISITORS

Hajira Hussain from the Richmond Food Bank Society

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND

CLUB BUSINESS

HuH! I am sure there were some announcements. So I hope you were listening.

Speaker

Richmond Food Bank Update – Hajira Hussain

Hajira Hussain joined us to share a heartfelt and eye-opening update on how the Richmond Food Bank is doing — and once again reminded us just how much of a difference our Rotary community has made over the years.

She opened with thanks, noting that Rotary helped fund their very first walk-in freezer and stepped up again during COVID when emergency storage was desperately needed. “You’ve always shown what community is all about,” she said — a pretty great compliment for our club.

But the need right now is bigger than ever.

Since COVID, demand has doubled. The food bank now supports 1,200 families every week — about 4,000 people. Last year alone there were over 62,000 visits, with 5,000 unique households served. Even more telling, 1,000 of those families were brand new, and about 30 new families register every month. Many are seniors on fixed incomes or working families whose pay just isn’t keeping up with rent, groceries, and bills.

Hajira shared some sobering realities:

30% of clients are children
15% are seniors (a fast-growing group)
Many are renters paying $1,200–$1,800+ for a one-bedroom
Only about 11% report employment income

In short, these are neighbors who are working hard but still can’t make ends meet.

On the bright side, the food bank is getting creative and resourceful. 70–80% of their food is recovered from grocery stores, farms, and partners like Kwantlen Polytechnic and local farmers. That means more fresh produce, dairy, bakery, and deli items — a big shift from the old days of mostly canned goods. Clients now leave with healthier, fresher food.

They’ve also expanded programs beyond groceries:

Home deliveries
Gardening initiatives
Partnerships with 24 community groups
A rapidly growing school meal program, now reaching all 49 Richmond schools, providing snacks, produce, and lunches to students who need them

One story that stuck with everyone was about a newcomer from Ukraine who first came for food, then volunteered as a translator, found work, and now donates back to the food bank. It’s exactly the cycle of support they hope to see.

Hajira also shared something new and exciting: for the first time ever, the Food Bank is hosting a major fundraiser — The Coldest Night of the Year Walk on February 28 (4–6 pm). It’s a 2 km community walk and they’re looking for teams, volunteers, and sponsors. Sounds like a perfect Rotary social event with a purpose!

After 13 years with the food bank, Hajira says the need can feel overwhelming — but the community response keeps her going. And thanks to partners like Rotary, they’re able to keep showing up for Richmond families every single day.

A big thank you to Hajira and the Richmond Food Bank team for the incredible work they do — and for reminding us that small acts of service add up to big change.

SERGEANT At Arms Tidbits

Around the Room – Life Lately at Rotary

Garth kicked things off reflecting on food access and the challenges of collecting personal data, sharing a story from his law school clinic days where fear kept people from seeking help — a thoughtful reminder that even good intentions can have barriers.

Brian is dusting off the trailer and calling it: camping season starts next weekend if the sunshine holds!

Melinda is in full hosting-and-gardening mode — planning a Super Bowl party while plotting an expanded garden for the months ahead.

John confessed to a little breakfast mayhem (a broken dispenser - thanks to Debbie M!) and will be away for the next couple of weeks.

Blair enjoyed time with the grandkids at hockey games and was hoping for a family Super Bowl visit, though plans changed. Backup plan? Casually crashing at a friend’s place — whether they know it or not. Here he comes Kal.

Larry shared an honest health update: doctors are taking a slower, cautious approach with his cancer treatment. In true Larry fashion, he balanced that with fridge-delivery heroics (involving removed doors and millimetres of clearance) and stories about hosting two hilarious 80-year-old visitors who keep him laughing nonstop.

Margaret is gearing up for her annual Super Bowl gathering, encouraged everyone to try serving school breakfasts at least once, and is heading off on a sunny New Mexico road trip for our Rotary Project.

Bill simply let his Seahawks jersey do the talking.

Susan praised the food bank presentation, offered to help with Coldest Night of the Year, celebrated Margaret’s birthday, and reported a successful Robbie Burns fundraiser — complete with surprisingly delicious haggis.

Michael has stepped up to personally run a monthly fruit-and-veggie program for 120 kids at his children’s school after funding was cut. Between that and life without extra family help at home, it’s been busy — but meaningful.

Lawrence tested out Zoom with the new mic system and is preparing his dog for surgery. The pup celebrated by eating chocolate (yikes), so Lawrence is on close watch. Otherwise, it was a week of reconnecting with old friends and grandkid duties.

Debbie M has been enjoying dinners out, and granddaughter Amalia aced her kindergarten interview in the most four-year-old way possible — by refusing to speak — yet somehow still getting accepted. Parenting magic.

Judy’s renovation saga continues with strata rules, flooring do-overs, and temporary housing uncertainty(possibly a discrete call to Brian?), but she’s keeping spirits up with Olympic viewing and grandson hockey playoffs.

Pat has been out enjoying Dine Out events, tea outings, and watching her grandson’s team host a touring German hockey team — complete with pin swaps and language barriers.

Jeanette heads to the Philippines soon but shared a strange encounter involving her dog and a questionable injury claim — a reminder to document everything!

Chris P returned from conferences with a couple of awards, including a community award she credits partly to Rotary. He also shared thoughtful reflections on inequality and challenged the club to think even bigger about impact.

Debbie S has turned her birthday into a month-long celebration (the right way to do it) and recommended a couple of great shows, including a John Candy documentary.

Mary Lou has been happily busy with family time, grandkids’ activities, and even joined a dragon boat group — proof that it’s never too late to try something new.

Chris M is enjoying toddler “terrible twos” moments with granddaughter Eleanor, sewing teddy bears from cherished family coats, pruning the garden, and starting the wedding ring shopping process, starting with a cost estimate.

Debbie T is back on her feet after being under the weather, squeezed in some Dine Out adventures, movie nights with dogs, and remains passionately committed to feeding kids — plus confirmed once and for all: haggis isn’t bad!

All in all: plenty of food, family, travel plans, hockey games, community service, and a little chaos — just another lively week in Rotary life.

Third Thursday of every month will be a projects meeting.

Friday, May 1st, 2026; Rotary Gala.

TODAY'S CHUCKLEs

Yeah way better than last week.

Miscellaneous

MEANDERINGS

Black History Month: Celebrating 30 years of legacy in Canada

TODAY'S CHUCKLEs